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Parents urge limits and transparency on classroom screen time; district outlines audits and guidelines
Summary
Parents presented survey data and urged clearer limits on Chromebook/edtech use in K–5; the district said it has audited third‑party apps, will remove advertising/paywalled apps, and plans draft screen‑use guidelines this summer.
Parents used the board’s public‑comment period to press Durango School District No. 9‑R for clearer limits and greater transparency about classroom screen time.
“A total of 189 families completed the survey … 85% of those respondents cited that they were somewhat to very concerned about screens in our classrooms,” said Asha Smith, a parent who organized a coalition and shared the survey results. She told the board that 78 respondents had withdrawn or chosen an alternative school in part because of what they described as excessive screen use, and that 96% of responding families thought Chromebook use should be limited in kindergarten through fifth grade.
Other parents expanded those concerns. Kelly McNan said she was not “anti‑technology” but described repeated student exposure to inappropriate content on school‑issued devices and cited a May 2026 federal advisory that urged limits on excessive screen use among children. Kendall Harvey, a licensed professional counselor, asked to be included in revision of the district’s acceptable‑use policy after she said the online link was temporarily unavailable and prevented her from registering her children.
District leaders told the board they had already begun auditing edtech and planned further steps. Director of Finance Kira Horn and technology staff reported that the district reviewed Clever and identified third‑party apps teachers had added that introduced advertising or paywalls; those have been removed from student access where inappropriate. Technology staff will run more frequent audits and the superintendent said she would circulate draft district principles on the purpose of instructional technology this summer so buildings can prepare to implement changes in the fall.
Superintendent Karen Chester (as introduced at the meeting) said the district aims to balance access and instructional purpose. Staff emphasized that core curricula used in elementary grades do not require daily log‑ons and that the district will prioritize print‑based materials for younger students while preserving assistive and individualized tools for students who need them.
Next steps: the district will share draft principles with principals and the public this summer, continue technical audits of apps, and prepare clearer grade‑level descriptions of approved tools so parents can see what their children use at school.
